Chicken newbie here I have a Sick chicken Runny nose, how sick is serious?

[cyndiandthan]

Ok, so I have been at the backyard chicken game since June of this year. We started with 6 Chicks under a heat lamp. We lost one early (natural causes I'm guessing no signs of illness), One was taken by a hawk, and 2 of the "pullets" turned out to be roos (can't have them in neighborhood).

So after sending the roos to live on a farm. We went back to our feed store/chicken farmers and bought 4 new birds Yesterday. 3 chicks 6-8 wks and a 16 wk old Cuckoo Maran. On the hour drive home they all rode together and I thought I heard sneezing. Once Home I noticed it was the Cuckoo and her eyes looked a little watery and her nose was running. I also hear a little rattle when she speaks. I didn't see any of this when we were loading her into the car. This morning when I checked her she was blowing a bubble out of her nostril. EEK! The birds they sale are all advertised as vaccinated as well.

She is quarantined in the garage for now but separate from the other smaller chicks (as far as possible). I also have her on medicated chick starter.
Her color is good. Her poop is perfectly normal. She is eating and drinking fine. Her energy level seems normal, alert and active. There is no foul smell.

Our weather has been completely terrible and very very wet here. Is there any chance she has something less serious than a major respiratory problem? Do chickens just get sinus infections?

For me its a hobby flock for my family 6 birds max. I have been reading terrible stories about terrible respiratory diseases.

Where do I go from here? What do I watch for or treat? I am very bummed with the bad luck I have been having and feeling like I am trying so hard and getting no where. All I have left is two 14 pullets. It really feels like we will never get to enjoy the fun of having chickens…or fresh eggs ;/

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would probably return the pullet to the store. You really don't want to introduce a chronic disease into your flock, and most respiratory diseases make carriers of the whole flock. You can treat symptoms, but if it is MG or bronchitis, or one of the others, it will still infect others after she gets better. Sorry for the bad luck.

 

[Skylercarr]

Well sorry for the bad luck. I started of will 6 and 2 turned out to be roosters so I got 2 more hens. I went to my pet chicken and ordered 2 pullets off of there. So if you ever need to buy more hens you can always use this website and if you do get a rooster you can always send the rooster back.

 

[Pork Pie]

I would probably return the pullet to the store. You really don't want to introduce a chronic disease into your flock, and most respiratory diseases make carriers of the whole flock. You can treat symptoms, but if it is MG or bronchitis, or one of the others, it will still infect others after she gets better. Sorry for the bad luck.

I agree completely - keep that bird isolated (as you are doing) and either return it or cull it. I had the same experience and my whole flock is infected with some chronic respiratory condition. The symptoms are not dramatic and they usually go after a week or so. I do wish that i had culled the whole flock and started again because i cannot give or sell these birds to anyone because of their condition.

Sorry, its a bummer for sure.

CT

 

[cyndiandthan]

So last night she seemed to look a little better than morning before (no more bubbles from nose and eyes a little more clear). This morning though here breathing is so rattly she sounds like she is purring.

I am seriously wondering if its IB.


I don't think I can take her back to the feed store. I wouldn't be surprised if they just tossed her back in the pen. They were sure to point out how that she was rare and that she had a banded leg, and that selling her to me at the price they did they were already losing profit from what they paid for the chick,etc. (they order from Ideal…btw and claimed they chicks this year have been terrible). Also with all the weather coming our way and rain currently I am not sure when I would have the time for the long drive over there and back. Honestly, I have not had the best experience dealing with them and never want to do it again.

I do plan on calling them today to make them aware of what is going on. But I think my time and gas are worth more than $15 I paid for the bird.

I am really sad and haven't the slightest idea how to cull a bird. (gulp) even my hubby is dreading it. My 8 yr old is going to take it very hard. He is my partner in the chickens and he specifically asked for a black and white one. I wanted Maran for egg variety but at this point it feels like we won't ever have eggs anyway.

UGH!

What should I do with the younger 8-10 wk old pullets that shared a kennel with sick bird for ride home? So far no sign of illness from them?

 

[Dinosaur Gal]

Im so sorry to hear what you are going thru I just got done treating 3 out my 5 birds with antinbiotics for a unknown respatory disease. When ever you have new birds to introduce to your original flock you are supposed to keep them quarantine for 30 days. And with the new birds being chicks you should wait longer or they could be bullied to death since your 2 living birds are already 14 weeks old. If you have to cull your new bird and you dont want to do it you can probably hire someone or a local farmer or person who dose this for a small fee (depending on how far they live from you) I hope this helped! Again im so sorry

 

[Pork Pie]

So last night she seemed to look a little better than morning before (no more bubbles from nose and eyes a little more clear). This morning though here breathing is so rattly she sounds like she is purring.

I am seriously wondering if its IB.


I don't think I can take her back to the feed store. I wouldn't be surprised if they just tossed her back in the pen. They were sure to point out how that she was rare and that she had a banded leg, and that selling her to me at the price they did they were already losing profit from what they paid for the chick,etc. (they order from Ideal…btw and claimed they chicks this year have been terrible). Also with all the weather coming our way and rain currently I am not sure when I would have the time for the long drive over there and back. Honestly, I have not had the best experience dealing with them and never want to do it again.

I do plan on calling them today to make them aware of what is going on. But I think my time and gas are worth more than $15 I paid for the bird.

I am really sad and haven't the slightest idea how to cull a bird. (gulp) even my hubby is dreading it. My 8 yr old is going to take it very hard. He is my partner in the chickens and he specifically asked for a black and white one. I wanted Maran for egg variety but at this point it feels like we won't ever have eggs anyway.

UGH!

What should I do with the younger 8-10 wk old pullets that shared a kennel with sick bird for ride home? So far no sign of illness from them?

Personally, i would cull the other birds that shared the kennel. Symptoms may not show for a considerable time (or they could already have shown the symptoms OR have been vaccinated against it). To me, and based on my own experience, you may live to regret keeping them in the long run. Better to preserve the healthy integrity of your existing flock.

Im sure there are UTube videos on how to cull a chicken. Two pairs of hands and a very sharp knife is the easiest way i have found - never nice (less than one second and its over), but its part of keeping chickens. Alternatively, as suggested, find someone who is willing to lend a hand.

All the best whatever you decide

CT

 

[Jesusfreak101]

Ideal poultry stated that they are not mg/ms free and that they would never be. If thads what this chick has then it will spread to the rest and they will have it for their entire lifes so you wont be able to sale them or get rid of them beside culling the entire flock.

 

[cyndiandthan]

Ok so I'm totally at a loss at what to do. After all, all my chickens are from this same feed store just bought at different times. So in theory the two healthy birds I have had since June could also be carriers right? If it is on the property? Im feeling totally dumb right now

These are pets. No business of ever selling them. No Rooster no egg hatching here.

So is there any reason I can't just keep the younger chicks? They are already in separated anyway for their age/size difference. If they start showing symptoms then address a cull?

Is closing my flock a bad choice? How chronic is chronic respiratory problems? Is it one occasional flare up brought on somehow or is it just constant sick flock? I am just trying to decide which way to go

I am so angry at the feed store!!!! GRRRR!

Sorry to have so many questions. Thank everyone for helping me.

 

[Eggcessive]

Ok so I'm totally at a loss at what to do. After all, all my chickens are from this same feed store just bought at different times. So in theory the two healthy birds I have had since June could also be carriers right? If it is on the property? Im feeling totally dumb right now

These are pets. No business of ever selling them. No Rooster no egg hatching here.

So is there any reason I can't just keep the younger chicks? They are already in separated anyway for their age/size difference. If they start showing symptoms then address a cull?

Is closing my flock a bad choice? How chronic is chronic respiratory problems? Is it one occasional flare up brought on somehow or is it just constant sick flock? I am just trying to decide which way to go

I am so angry at the feed store!!!! GRRRR!

Sorry to have so many questions. Thank everyone for helping me.

Since you only have a few birds, and the groups are separated, I would be most concerned with the cuckoo marans. Keep her away from the others, and don't give her antibiotics. She may be sick or not, so just watch her, and use good biosecurity with handwashing and changing shoes, clothes, washing utencils, etc. Take care of her last every day, then the new chicks, then your old girls. Keep her quarantined for at least 30 days. Is she still having a sneeze or runny nose?
Do the same with your 2 new chicks. Take care of your first chickens, then later care for the newer ones. Watch for any symptoms developing. I would not cull them unless they show symptoms of respiratory illness, but keep them quarantined 30-45 days. If any look sick and have symptoms, then I would cull or at least get them tested by your state vet or local extension agent. Everyone on this thread has given good advice. Don't do anything right away, but think things through, perhaps talk to your state vet. I would have returned the possible sick chicken just because it would have made things simple. She could have just been stressed from the trip, dust, or environmental problems. It is always best to be cautious.
Here is a good link about the symptoms of common respiratory diseases such as IB, MG, coryza, and ILT: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044